“So we’re just waiting for Daniel or the loners to call you?” Scott asked as he watched me shovel the snow on his front road. He was sitting on his fence, eating a sandwich and swaying his feet like a child.

“You could help you know,” I said, digging into the iced-over snow to break it apart, my breath turning into clouds.

“My house, my rules and I say you shovel.” He grinned.

Oh well… It wasn’t like I had anything better to do. Matt was busy studying in the Silver Springs library, Yuri was at work and Daniel nor the loners contacted me. I was at loss as to what to do. So here I was taking out my frustration on the icy walkway.

“What are you going to do if the loners won’t call you?” he kept on asking. I shot him a look. “Hey! Don’t look at me like that. You need a plan B if they don’t call you. And I’m not even talking about what will happen if Daniel can’t get you a meeting…”

I sighed and buried the shovel into the snow so I could lean on it. “I don’t know, okay? I guess I could visit the Silver heart pack… But I’d rather talk to the loners alone.” And if Baltazar refused all interactions? Well, then war would become inevitable… War. Father was right about me being a child of peace. I could only imagine how a battle between two super-strong beings like vampires and werewolves would look. “Scott… Can you promise me something?” He raised an eyebrow in surprise at my serious and glum tone. “If there really is a war coming, promise me you’ll take Matt and get him as far away from Alaska as you can.”

He blinked, surprised by my words, but nodded his gaze turning troubled. “Do you really think it will come down to it?”

“I don’t know.” I shook my head gripping the shovel tight. “Let’s hope it won’t.” A heavy silence settled between us for a second so we both jumped when my phone started ringing. Yes! I quickly took it out of my pocket, my heart already beating with nervousness. Unknown number.

“Reid Ghealach,” I said into the phone as calmly as I could.

“Hello there, Reidy-boy,” said a deep familiar sounding voice. It took me a while to recognize it, but when I did I sighed in disappointment.

“Rowley.” I tried to hide my true feelings and failed miserably.

“Now what is that tone? Were you perhaps expecting someone else?” he asked, probably knowingly very well who I wanted to hear from. I didn’t answer. “Well in that case I shall keep it brief. The Alpha wanted to thank you for helping our little stray pups to find their way to us. Actually he is so grateful he would like to invite you for dinner, let’s say this Sunday?”

Well that wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for. But it would be a good opportunity to get intel. “I’m trying to catch a killer here you know?” I couldn’t seem too eager.

“Oh come on! You have to think of your future too, not just the past. The offer still stands,” he reminded me once again. “Make some time for us, you won’t regret it, I promise.”

“Alright, I’ll come…” I said a bit reluctantly. Scott rolled his eyes over my acting.

“Excellent! I’ll text you the details. I have to leave now, but there is someone here who would love to say hello,” he said cheerfully, almost wickedly.

There was some rustling as the phone got passed, then an unsure but very familiar voice said, “H-hey!” Well wasn’t this my lucky day? “Um, this is Ricky? You remember? The guy from the pub?”

Yeah, I remembered. I just barely managed not to indulge in a happy howl. “Ricky! Hey, of course, I remember you,” I said way more enthusiastically. I actually heard Rowley tsk in the background but then he wished them a good day and I heard a door closing.

“Oh, finally he’s gone! He’s so scary…” Ricky whispered in a shaky voice. I could imagine the shudder going through him.

“Well, he is the Shield of the pack.” I chuckled. “He’s not mean to you though is he?” I asked, all concern and protective energy. It was only half an act. I was dominant; it was my instinct to feel protective over others.

“No! Not at all! Everyone’s really nice here,” he said immediately, his tone light again. “I’ve never been in a pack and I was kinda scared but everyone’s great!”

Oh, good thing he didn’t come to the Ghealach pack then. We seemed unable to even have a simple conversation without someone getting mad. Was I being bitter? Nah… “I’m glad to hear that. What about Toby and Clay? Doing okay too?”

“Um… Yeah…” he said uncertainly. “Toby is doing fine but Clay got into a fight.” Some disapproving grunts could be heard. I presumed it was Clay. I wasn’t surprised by that. He was the type of a too cocky werewolf that tended to die very young.

“Ah, to be young and hot-blooded again.” I chuckled trying to ease up the mood again.

“You’re not old,” he said. What a good polite boy.

“So, are you invited to the Sunday dinner too? It would be nice to see some familiar faces while I’m there,” I asked casually with just a hint of hope.

“Sure we are! But Sunday’s so far away!” he groaned. “Let’s meet up sooner, yeah?” he offered. Good boy.

“Sounds good to me. How about the Dead dog? I’ll treat ya.” Thank the gods for employee benefits. “Let’s say today? At seven?”

“Really? That’s great! We’ll be there!” Oh, I could practically hear him bouncing on his feet in excitement.

“Can’t wait,” I said and hung up. That was easier than I expected.

“Should I come too?” Scott asked, still sitting on the fence obviously amused by my acting and the conversation.

I actually gave it a thought and shook my head. “No, they’ll probably tell me more if we’re alone.”

“Sure, Ricky sounded quite eager to… see you.” He grinned like a damn kid and jumped down from the fence. “I’ll hold the fort big man, you go seduce some answers out of strays.” He patted my chest going to the house.

“I’m not seducing anyone. I’m taken.” I rolled my eyes, throwing the shovel at him.

“Well for the good of the pack…” he winked at me and disappeared inside. I shook my head with a smile, knowing he was only teasing. Alpha wolves might be players but when they truly found someone they cared about they didn’t let go easily.

I took a quick shower and then went on my way to the Dead dog. I felt thrilled to have something to do, even though the loners probably didn’t have any useful information. It was something though, something to keep me distracted while I waited for Daniel’s call.